Point of Contention History of the Japanese Airfield - 1944 to 1946

In early 1944, the Japanese began construction of their large primary airfield on Yap. Their goal was to Destruction of the Airfield: The first American raid against Yap Island was on April 1, 1945 create a transit point for Japanese air reinforcements as the allies rapidly advanced westward in New when carrier planes raided Yap with no losses. The Yap airfield was found under construction Guinea and toward the Philippines and the Japanese home islands. The Yap airfield was a key Japa- with no planes yet present. Once the Japanese airfield was completed, it was targeted by American nese base for launching attacks against pending Allied invasion forces. In May 1944, the Japanese attacks almost daily from June 1944 until August 1945. More than 150 men and nearly 40 ordered planes to Yap, which was designated as a dispersal base for many Japanese air units, includ- American aircraft were lost in missions against the Japanese-held island of Yap during World ing fighters, night fighters, dive bombers and bombers. Japanese planes arrived on Yap in late May War II. Although some of the men were rescued and others’ remains were recovered after the and early June 1944. The aircraft included Zero fighters (Mitsubishi A6M), Judy reconnaissance war, many of the men remain listed as missing in action (MIA) today. The airfield and surround- planes (Yokosuka D4Y), Suisei dive bombers (Aichi D1A), Gekko night fighters (Nakajima J1N1), ing area were so heavily bombed that it looked more like the surface of the moon at the end of Betty twin-engine bombers (Mitsubishi G4M) and Tabby transport planes (Showa L2D). Over 50 the war than the lush tropical jungle it once was a few years earlier. American forces rebuilt the Japanese planes were based on Yap at its height; however, many of the planes were destroyed on the airfield after the war and it was used as the primary Yap airport until the new airport opened in ground shortly after they arrived by American long-range B-24 bombers. Numerous other Japanese November 1983. Wreckage of numerous Japanese and American planes, and other war materials planes were shot down over the island during air battles with American bombers from June to August can be viewed all around the former airfield. Wreckage that was not buried was pushed into the 1944. The Yap airfield was seldom used after September 1944. jungle where it remains today for visitors to view. This marker is in memory of all the brave man who lost their lives on Yap Island during World War II. A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNLESS HE IS FORGOTTEN MISSING AIR-CREW PROJECT: WWW.MISSINGAIRCREW.COM

October 1944 March 25, 1945 American Marine fighter squadrons flying Corsairs begin The last Japanese offensive action involving Yap was indirect and almost accidental. attacking Yap from the newly acquired air base on Peleliu On March 11, 1945, twenty four Yokosuka P1Y Ginga “Frances” attack bombers took off on a one-way June-August 1944 August 13, 1944 Island. The battered Japanese units on Yap continue “tokko” (suicide) mission to Ulithi from Kanoya, Japan. As a result of a navigational error and unexpected headwinds, they found themselves near Yap Island, not Ulithi. Three P1Ys of the Special Attack Unit US Army Air Force B-24 bombers from bases in the Admiralty Islands launch Three US Navy UDT men from the submarine USS rebuilding efforts on the airfield and installations, but they arrived at Yap. One P1Y landed at the damaged airfield around the bomb craters. One P1Y failed in land- almost daily raids against Yap throughout the summer of 1944. Most days saw Burrfish are captured on Yap Island while performing are repeatedly attacked by Marine Corsairs. Over seven ing at the airfield and was damaged; and one P1Y ditched off of Rumung, Yap. Only two P1Ys, instead of June 5, 1944 20-35 American B-24s attacking Yap. The 307th Bomb Group and 5th Bomb reconnaissance on the island for the upcoming invasion. American Corsairs are shot down over Yap and numerous Group flew joint missions against Yap until early July when they began attack- planes are forced to abort their mission. the original 24 bombers, reached Ulithi, both well after dark. The American ships in the Ulithi harbor did Three PB4Y-1Ps from the US ing Yap on alternate days. The Japanese Navy anti-aircraft (AA) units on Yap not detect the approaching Japanese planes. Many of the ships’ crew were relaxing, watching movies on Marine unit VMD-254 fly over Yap returned fire with several anti-aircraft guns. Numerous B-24s suffered damage the flight decks of the carriers. A P1Y slammed into the starboard side of the American carrier, to take photographs from 18,000 from AA fire during the campaign and a number of bombers are shot down. the USS Randolph, causing significant damage and killing 26 men while wounding another 105. feet. They observe approximately The Japanese sent Zeros and other fighters to intercept the B-24s during the September 6-8, 1944 As a result of the Ulithi raid, American attacks against Yap were increased. 30 fighters parked in rows and early part of the campaign. Both sides suffered numerous losses. July 26-28, 1944 US carrier planes from Navy Task Force 58 return April 1944 numerous other aircraft around the US carrier planes from Navy Task Force 58 return to to raid Yap for the third time but once again find the airfield. The American forces start The first American raid against raid Yap but find the Army Air Force B-24 heavy bombers American B-24 heavy bombers had left few targets preparing a campaign against Yap September 5, 1945 Yap Island is launched. US carrier June 17, 1944 had left few targets undamaged. The Yap airfield, port undamaged. There was no Japanese aerial opposition to attack and destroy the airfield planes from Task Force 58 under the installations and Colonia are all heavily damaged by to these attacks. The attacks are a prelude to a planned Japanese surrender Yap Island in a ceremony onboard and infrastructure. Plans include On June 17, 1944 the largest of the Japanese raids from Yap was mounted command of the Fifth Fleet (Admiral tons of bombs dropped by the large bombers. There was invasion of Yap on September 13, 1944. Although Yap is the destroyer Tillman (DD-641). Although the Japanese US Army Force bomber attacks, when 31 Zeros, 17 Suiseis, and 2 Gingas attacked several American escort Raymond A. Spruance) raided Yap no aerial opposition to these American carrier attacks; heavily battered, the Japanese continue to put up a fight surrendered Yap, the Americans allowed the Japanese to keep Navy carrier attacks and a Septem- carriers near the island. Several American ships were damaged, with no losses. The Yap airfield was however, numerous American Navy planes are lost due using anti-aircraft guns. Over a three-day period, four their arms and continue to rule Yap until December 7, 1945 ber 1944 invasion. resulting in many casualties. found under construction with to anti-aircraft fire and mechanical failures. Hellcats and one Helldiver are lost. when the first American flag was raised over Yap. no planes yet present.

April January 1944 1946 May 1944 Japan orders planes to Yap, September 13, 1944 August 15, 1945 June 22, 1944 August 10, 1944 designated as a dispersal base for June 12-14, 1944 Admiral Halsey recommended that the proposed The surrender of Japan in August 1945 brought World War II to a close. many Japanese air units including To stop Japanese attacks from Yap against the advancing The final B-24 is lost over Yap when it becomes lost on the way to the island invasions of Yap be cancelled in favor of a direct strike Although some isolated commands and personnel from Japan’s far-flung forces December 8, 1945 The first US Army Air Force fighters, night fighters, dive bombers American forces, the American 13th Air Force bombers and arrives 30 minutes after the rest of the 307th Bomb Group had already on Leyte (closer to Manila, and to Tokyo). With General throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands refused to surrender for months and Japanese guards are relieved B-24 bombers from bases in the and bombers. The Japanese forces begin a large-scale day bombing campaign against Yap on left the area. A gunner from another squadron reported hearing the following MacArthur’s concurrence, Halsey’s new plan is approved years later, the Japanese on Yap immediately wrote a message in English on the and replaced by Americans. The Americans Admiralty Islands begin launching could no longer match the Americans June 22nd with 33 B-24s from the 307th and 5th Bombard- message. “Am going down in flames over the target.” Two of the 11 member by President Roosevelt and other top Allied planners Yap airfield with painted stones stating that they were waiting for orders from take control of Yap and surrounding islands raids against Yap Island. The B-24 carrier-for-carrier and began using ment Group. The Japanese were not expecting a strike by Anthony crew are captured by the Japanese near the mouth of the harbor. then in conference at Quebec. their commanders in Palau to surrender. from the Japanese. American records raids take 13 hours to fly to Yap Yap as an aircraft base, hoping it unescorted land-based bombers over so great a distance One of the men captured, Sgt. Hilary Gilbert, was shot down and rescued on show that 4408 Japanese remain on Yap. and return to bases. The 13th Air would help make up for the difference (over 1,000 miles). Forty-four Japanese fighters, four July 17, 1944 after going down on a mission to Yap. He was shot down Arrangements were made for the Japanese Force initiated the Yap campaign in carrier strength. Japanese planes twin-engine bombers and a dive bomber were photographed a second time in less than a month, both over Yap. August 1944 to be evacuated from Yap via repatriation on the night of June 12. Subsequent begin to arrive on Yap in late May on the Yap airfield and 12 were destroyed and eight badly ships back to Japan. raids will be during the day for As it became clear that the Marianas were irretrievably November 1944-August 1945 and early June 1944. The aircraft damaged. One Japanese twin-engine bomber was observed lost, the Japanese scaled back their remaining air power in included Zero fighters (Mitsubishi most of the Yap campaign. engulfed in a bomb blast as it attempted to leave the runway. July 1944 American Navy and Marine planes from Peleliu, Ulithi, Guam and Saipan at- The B-24s of the 5th Air Force also the central remaining air strength, planes were assigned to A6M), Judy reconnaissance planes The B-24 raids take a toll on American planes, and the Japanese lose tack Yap daily. The Yap airfield, port, lighthouse, Colonia and other Japanese begin their attacks on Yap with a Palau but none to Yap. Approximately 20 Japanese aircraft (Yokosuka D4Y), Suisei Dive bombers numerous aircraft and pilots. By early July 1944, the Japanese had only an held areas of Yap are repeatedly pounded by bombs, bullets and torpedoes. night raid. The first 5th Air Force around the Yap airfield were all unserviceable and were The Americans continue to lose planes and men including Hellcats, Avengers (Aichi D1A), Gekko night fighters assorted collection of fighters capable of opposing American bomber raids. frequent targets of American attacks. December 1945 -January 1946 (Nakajima J1N1), Betty twin-engine strike was largely abortive and the and Corsairs. Passing US Navy ships repeatedly target Yap with heavy guns The remnants of Japanese air groups were withdrawn by late July. Remaining Japanese are evacuated from Yap. American engineers repair and bombers (Mitsubishi G4M) and first B-24 was lost on June 13th as they pass offshore until the end of the war. Only a small group of survivors from various Japanese air groups remained begin using the former Japanese airfield on Yap. Japanese arms and equipment Tabby transport planes (Showa L2D). from enemy action near Yap. to defend Yap. After the end of July, the B-24s never again encountered are gathered from the island and dumped into the ocean south of the harbor. Japanese fighters over Yap, but they still had to contend with anti-aircraft fire.

This sign was sponsored by the following donors: Sharon C. Conner Lavergne & Wayne Parr Patrick & Cherie Ranfranz Marie Ranfranz Marilyn Schulte Thomas & Gina Diehl Frank Page Phil Stoeberl & Lori Batt Mary Ann Brezinski Gene Wagoner In memory of Sharon’s father, In memory of Lavergne’s husband, In memory of Pat’s uncle, In memory of Marie’s brother, In memory of Marilyn’s brother, In memory of Gina’s uncle, In memory of Frank’s grandfather, In memory of Phil’s uncle, In memory of Mary Ann’s husband, In memory of Gene’s uncle, Sgt. William E. Crowley, KIA/MIA, T/Sgt. Robert P. Wagoner, KIA/MIA, T/Sgt. John R. McCullough, KIA/MIA, T/Sgt. John R. McCullough, KIA/MIA, T/Sgt. John R. McCullough, KIA/MIA, T/Sgt. John R. McCullough, KIA/MIA, Frank B. Page Sr., WWI Veteran Private Joseph Unger Jerry Brezinski T/Sgt. Robert P. Wagoner, KIA/MIA, Yap Island, July 15, 1944 Yap Island, June 25, 1944 Yap Island, June 25, 1944 Yap Island, June 25, 1944 Yap Island, June 25, 1944 Yap Island, June 25, 1944 and Purple Heart Recipient Yap Island, June 25, 1944